Deflection limiting jj-hook style temporary concrete median barrier

ABSTRACT

A deflection limiting JJ-Hook style temporary concrete median barrier (TCMB) comprising: a JJ-Hook style TCMB; and at least one bent plate attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a first portion of the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nut and backing plate, wherein the anchor bolt is disposed through the first portion of the bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backing plate; wherein a second portion of the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin is disposed through the second portion of the bent plate and a portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottom of the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hook style TCMB.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationU.S. Ser. No. 62/007,352 filed Jun. 3, 2014, by the present inventorsentitled Deflection Limiting JJ-Hook Style Temporary Concrete MedianBarrier which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure is related to temporary median barriers.

BACKGROUND

Temporary Concrete Median Barriers (“TCMB”) and, more specifically,JJ-Hook style TCMBs as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,224 incorporatedby reference herein, are used primarily for the protection of trafficwork zones. JJ-Hook style TCMBs typically are linked together in astring to form a barrier system. The JJ-Hook connection is termed as a“positive” connection and testing has proved that it does not separatewhen impacted.

Recently, the Transportation Departments (“DOT's”) in the various stateshave begun to focus on TCMB deflection distances which mean the distancethe TCMB moves laterally when impacted by traffic. There are instanceswhen the DOT's want the lateral movement to be minimized to 2′ or less.Typical JJ-Hook style TCMBs move in excess of 2′ when impacted. Thus, animproved deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB exhibiting lateralmovement of 2′ or less upon impact is desired.

The Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”) and the Dot's both rely onstandardized crash testing criteria to make their determination whethera particular safety device functions as designed during a crash.Currently, the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (“MASH”) testcriteria is being used. In order to get a product on a DOT approvallist, is must first be tested under the MASH test criteria and done atan accredited facility under strict guidelines. The testing facilitywill conduct the test, review the result, develop a detailed report andsubmit to the FHWA for review. If the FHWA agrees with the testingprocess and the results of the test are favorable, they will write aLetter of Eligibility that can be submitted to the DOT's for approvaland inclusion into their approved product bulletins.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a preferred aspect, the present disclosure comprises a deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style temporary concrete median barrier (TCMB)comprising: a JJ-Hook style TCMB; and at least one bent plate attachedto the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a first portion of the bent plate isattached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nut and backingplate, wherein the anchor bolt is disposed through the first portion ofthe bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backing plate; wherein asecond portion of the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMBusing an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin is disposed through thesecond portion of the bent plate and a portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB;and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottom of the JJ-Hook styleTCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hook style TCMB.

In another preferred aspect, the deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMBof the present disclosure further comprises a plurality of bent platesattached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a first portion of each bentplate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nutand backing plate wherein the anchor bolt is disposed through the firstportion of each bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backingplate; wherein a second portion of each bent plate is attached to theJJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin isdisposed through the second portion of each bent plate and a portion theJJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottomof the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hookstyle TCMB.

In another preferred aspect of the deflection limiting JJ-Hook styleTCMB of the present disclosure, the plurality of bent plates attached tothe JJ-Hook style TCMB equals two.

In a preferred aspect, the present disclosure comprises a barrier systemcomprising: a plurality of interconnected deflection limiting JJ-Hookstyle temporary concrete median barriers (TCMBs), wherein eachdeflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB comprises: a JJ-Hook style TCMB;and at least one bent plate attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB wherein afirst portion of the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMBusing an anchor bolt, nut and backing plate wherein the anchor bolt isdisposed through the first portion of the bent plate, the JJ-Hook styleTCMB and the backing plate; wherein a second portion of the bent plateis attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein theanchor pin is disposed through the second portion of the bent plate anda portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extendsthrough a bottom of the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supportingthe JJ-Hook style TCMB.

In another preferred aspect of the deflection limiting JJ-Hook styleTCMB of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of interconnecteddeflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMBs comprises a plurality of bentplates attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a first portion ofeach bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchorbolt, nut and backing plate wherein the anchor bolt is disposed throughthe first portion of each bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and thebacking plate; wherein a second portion of each bent plate is attachedto the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin isdisposed through the second portion of each bent plate and a portion theJJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottomof the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hookstyle TCMB.

In yet another preferred aspect of the deflection limiting JJ-Hook styleTCMB of the present disclosure, the plurality of bent plates attached tothe JJ-Hook style TCMB equals 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the present disclosure to be easily understood and readilypracticed, the present disclosure will now be described for purposes ofillustration and not limitation in connection with the followingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of adeflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style TCMB according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view a preferred embodiment of adeflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style TCMB according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5. is an elevational view of an anchor pin component of a preferredembodiment of a deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6. is a side elevational view of a bent plate component of apreferred embodiment of a deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMBaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7. is a front elevational view of a bent plate component of apreferred embodiment of a deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMBaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8. is a front elevational view of a backing plate component of apreferred embodiment of a deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMBaccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying examples and figures that form a part hereof, and in whichis shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinventive subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice them, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural or logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the inventive subject matter. Suchembodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to,individually and/or collectively, herein by the term “disclosure” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed.

The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limitedsense, and the scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a preferred construction of an improved deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style TCMB 5 of the present disclosure which preferablymay be constructed from the following preferred components per 12′section of an improved deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB of thepresent disclosure are as follows:

Component 1. Plate 1—QTY 2-Bent Plate-6″ wide×20 15/16″ long ½″ thicksteel plate;

Component 2. Plate 2—QTY 2-Flat Plate-4″ wide×10″ long ½″ thick steelplate;

Component 3. Anchor Pin 3—QTY 2-26″ long×1½″ in diameter with a 4″square steel washer that is ½″ thick welded to the top; and

Component 4. Anchor Bolt 4—QTY 2-16″ long×1¼″ in diameter hex head boltwith nut and beveled washer.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a preferred construction of an improved andpreferred deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB of the presentdisclosure is set forth below.

The improved deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB of the presentdisclosure is preferably intended to be used in a DOT work zone thatrequires TCMB deflection that is 2′ or less.

After a standard JJ-Hook style TCMB is installed in its designated area,the installer preferably attaches components 1-4 referenced above bydrilling a 1½″ hole through the upright portion of the TCMB at area “A”and then drilling a 1¾″ hole at a 36° angle through the lower portion ofthe TCMB at area “B”. The hole drilled at area “B” preferably extendsthrough the barrier and into the roadway surface. The concrete roadwaysurface depth preferably is a minimum of 7″ in order to comply with theMASH testing conditions. Each hole is preferably drilled atapproximately 22″ from each end of the TCMB. After the holes aredrilled, plates 1 and 2 should be attached to the TCMB by anchor bolt 4and then to the roadway surface utilizing anchor pin 3.

Plate 2 is designed to engage the lateral rebars that connect theJJ-Hook connection hardware located at each end of the barriers as shownin FIG. 1. Accordingly, the plates 2 preferably are oriented verticallyor substantially vertically prior to tightening the nut on anchor bolt 4which preferably is disposed through interlock plate 10 of the TCMB 5.

It should be noted that this process with TCMB 5 preferably can beutilized in various roadway and soil conditions other than in concreteby adjusting the length of the anchoring pin 3 accordingly, i.e., alonger anchoring pin 3 will be required for looser roadway or soilconditions.

It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that variousother changes in the details, material, and arrangements of the partsand method stages which have been described and illustrated in order toexplain the nature of this disclosure may be made without departing fromthe principles and scope of the disclosure as expressed in the subjoinedclaims.

In the foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure, various features are grouped together in a single embodimentto streamline the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments ofthe disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus,the following claims are hereby incorporated into the foregoingdescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deflection limiting JJ-Hook style temporaryconcrete median barrier (TCMB) comprising: a JJ-Hook style TCMB; and atleast one bent plate attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a firstportion of the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using ananchor bolt, nut and backing plate, wherein the anchor bolt is disposedthrough the first portion of the bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB andthe backing plate; wherein a second portion of the bent plate isattached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein theanchor pin is disposed through the second portion of the bent plate anda portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extendsthrough a bottom of the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supportingthe JJ-Hook style TCMB.
 2. The deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB ofclaim 1 comprising a plurality of bent plates attached to the JJ-Hookstyle TCMB; wherein a first portion of each bent plate is attached tothe JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nut and backing platewherein the anchor bolt is disposed through the first portion of eachbent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backing plate; wherein asecond portion of each bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMBusing an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin is disposed through thesecond portion of each bent plate and a portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB;and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottom of the JJ-Hook styleTCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hook style TCMB.
 3. Thedeflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB of claim 2 wherein the pluralityof bent plates attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB equals two.
 4. Abarrier system comprising: a plurality of interconnected deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style temporary concrete median barriers (TCMBs),wherein each deflection limiting JJ-Hook style TCMB comprises: a JJ-Hookstyle TCMB; and at least one bent plate attached to the JJ-Hook styleTCMB wherein a first portion of the bent plate is attached to theJJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nut and backing plate whereinthe anchor bolt is disposed through the first portion of the bent plate,the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backing plate; wherein a second portionof the bent plate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchorpin wherein the anchor pin is disposed through the second portion of thebent plate and a portion the JJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchorpin extends through a bottom of the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into asurface supporting the JJ-Hook style TCMB.
 5. The barrier system ofclaim 4 wherein each of the plurality of interconnected deflectionlimiting JJ-Hook style TCMBs comprises a plurality of bent platesattached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB; wherein a first portion of each bentplate is attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor bolt, nutand backing plate wherein the anchor bolt is disposed through the firstportion of each bent plate, the JJ-Hook style TCMB and the backingplate; wherein a second portion of each bent plate is attached to theJJ-Hook style TCMB using an anchor pin wherein the anchor pin isdisposed through the second portion of each bent plate and a portion theJJ-Hook style TCMB; and wherein the anchor pin extends through a bottomof the JJ-Hook style TCMB and into a surface supporting the JJ-Hookstyle TCMB.
 6. The barrier system of claim 5 wherein the plurality ofbent plates attached to the JJ-Hook style TCMB equals two.